AfricanTech Project Launches in Canary Islands to Boost African Digital Economy
The AfricanTech project, led by Casa África and funded by ERDF, held its first meeting at Femete to drive innovation and digital transformation for SMEs across Macaronesian and African regions, aiming for sustainable economic growth and job creation.
The first meeting for the AfricanTech project recently took place at Femete's main office. This event highlights the Canary Islands' strong dedication to working with other countries and boosting the economy in the Macaronesian and African areas.
The AfricanTech project aims to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) become better at innovation and using digital tools. It is expected to be a major force for economic, social, and institutional growth in the regions involved.
This four-year project is part of the Interreg MAC 2021-2027 Cooperation Program. This program is a key part of Europe's plan to encourage collaboration between its outermost regions and nearby countries. The European Regional Development Funds (ERDF) are covering 85% of the project's costs, showing how important this partnership is to the European Union.
Casa África Consortium is leading the project. Several Canary Islands organizations are also involved, including Femete, Femepa, the Chambers of Commerce from both provinces of the archipelago, and the Cabildo de Tenerife. On the international side, businesses, tech companies, and universities from Mauritania, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Ghana are actively participating, creating a diverse team.
AfricanTech has three main goals. First, it will identify what SMEs can achieve and help create more jobs in the partner regions. Second, it will offer training in digital transformation, including direct support and advice for business owners. Finally, it will encourage trade between countries and the sharing of technical knowledge among all participants. All these activities will be carried out with a focus on sustainability and equality, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
According to the project's organizers, AfricanTech aims to create a smart economic change that leads to sustainable growth and new jobs, as explained by José González González, Secretary General of Femete. Ana Hernández Díaz, manager of Casa África, added that AfricanTech builds on earlier projects like ConfiÁfrica. It now covers a wider area and has bigger goals to strengthen businesses using new technologies, addressing the global need for digital adaptation.